Football’s biggest carnival, the FIFA World Cup 2026, commences on 12 June with 48 teams set to fight for the ultimate prize. With the number of participating teams increased from 32 to 48, there will be more competition and an additional round of 32 to decide which teams will qualify to the round of 16. 

In this article, we will take a look at which teams are the favourites to qualify for the knockouts from each group, and put our thinking caps on to predict which sides will then progress further into the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. 

Without further ado, let’s take a quick look at which team has the best chance to lift the World Cup this summer. 

Group Stage results

• Group A

Mexico, the co-hosts of the World Cup 2026, are the highest-ranked side in Group A and should comfortably finish at the top, buoyed by a home crowd, barring any hiccups. Czechia are most likely to finish second. 

• Group B 

Switzerland should have enough firepower to ease past Canada, Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Canada, the co-hosts, may nick the second place just ahead of Bosnia. 

• Group C

It will be a straight-up battle between Brazil and Morocco in Group C, with the Selecao certainly having more firepower than their African counterparts. Scotland may also fancy their chances as the third-placed team. 

• Group D

Australia and Paraguay can offer stern tests to co-hosts USA, but Turkey will be their biggest challengers for top spot. Still, one can fancy the United States finishing ahead of Turkey at the top of the group. Australia can be one of the 8 third-place sides. 

• Group E

Germany are expected to top Group E without much fuss, and second place in this group should go to Ecuador, who may just edge Ivory Coast narrowly, but the Africans can progress via the third place route. 

• Group F

Netherlands should come out on top in Group F, and Sweden will narrowly finish second ahead of Japan, who can certainly progress further as one of the strongest third-best-placed teams. 

• Group G

Belgium should come out unscathed in Group G, with Egypt their next closest challengers.

• Group H

It should be a cakewalk for Spain; the kind of form they have been in, they should have enough to finish ahead of Uruguay in Group H. Saudi Arabia are on the rise and can have a crack as one of the third-placed sides. 

• Group I 

Called as the Group of Death by many, France are overwhelming favourites, while Senegal should finish second with their well-rounded team ahead of Norway, who may take the third-place route into the knockouts. 

• Group J

Lionel Messi’s Argentina should finish on top without any fuss, with Austria taking up second place, and Algeria can also look to qualify further as one of the third-place teams. 

• Group K

Portugal, buoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo, should top Group K with Colombia comfortably finishing in second place. 

• Group L

Last but not the least, England are fancied to be the overwhelming favourites to top Group L, while Croatia should finish second and Ghana can have a crack at the knockouts by finishing third. 

Round of 32

After finalising the round of 32 bracket according to the pre-determined draw for the knockouts, here are the round of 32 fixtures that are most likely to happen. 

(SOURCE: FIFA.com)

• Germany vs Scotland

• France vs Australia

• Czechia vs Canada

• Netherlands vs Morocco

• Colombia vs Croatia

• Spain vs Austria

• USA vs Ivory Coast

• Belgium vs Saudi Arabia

• Brazil vs Sweden

• Ecuador vs Senegal

• Mexico vs Japan

• England vs Norway

• Argentina vs Uruguay

• Turkey vs Egypt

• Switzerland vs Algeria

• Portugal vs Ghana

With Germany (winner of match 74) likely to prevail over Scotland, they will face the winner of match 77 (France vs Australia), expect fireworks when Die Mannschaft take on Les Bleus. 

Czechia should come out on top over Canada, but their next opponents will be the formidable Netherlands. Croatia should end Colombia’s march into the knockouts, however they will then face a stern test against Spain. USA should manage to prevail over Ivory Coast by the barest of margins, but their next opponents will be Belgium, who should see off Saudi Arabia if all goes per plan. 

Brazil’s backline will be tested by Swedish attackers, but the Selecao can enter the next round; however, they will have Senegal waiting for them once the African nation can see off Ecuador. 

Co-hosts Mexico will have to defy the odds and overcome Japan to earn a place against England, who should send Erling Haaland’s Norway back home. 

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face fellow South Americans Uruguay, although the Alebiceleste should win after an evenly contested clash. On the other side of the draw, Turkey will be waiting for Messi and Co. 

Lastly, Switzerland will be on collision course with Portugal if both sides can qualify for the round of 16 unscathed. 

Round of 16

Kylian Mbappe’s France should be able to beat Germany due to their superior squad depth. Netherlands will fancy their chances of reaching the last eight by beating Czechia. Spain’s overall talent and depth should help prevail over Luka Modric’s Croatia. On paper, Belgium should be able to see off the USA, with Brazil expected to eliminate Senegal. England’s firepower should help them ease past Mexico, while Argentina and Portugal should win their respective ties to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash. 

Quarterfinals

France will face another stern test, but should reach the semifinals at the expense of the Dutch. Belgium’s progress could be halted at the hands of Spain, who will relish a repeat of Euro 2024 semifinal against Les Bleus. 

Brazil’s meeting with England should be an entertaining tie, but Harry Kane’s team should punch their semifinal tickets. If all goes per plan, the last dance for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could be in the quarterfinal of the World Cup, and the Albiceleste should progress given their superior quality. 

Semifinals

Between France and Spain, the blockbuster semifinal should result in a win for France given their consistency in the knockouts over the past World Cups. In the other semifinal, we’re predicting a win for Argentina, given the Messi factor and England’s past horrors in the final four. 

Final

The repeat of the 2022 World Cup final should see Mbappe get one over Messi, and France winning their third World Cup crown due to their superior squad depth in multiple positions.